Railway switch controlling apparatus



June 16, 1931.

C. A. BROOKS ET AL RAILWAY SWITCH CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1929 m \M i INVENTORS 3 19. .Ziroaks 3/ 5. Vozugy ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1931 v stares eerie;

tantra CHARLES A. BnooKs, or swrssvnnn, AND HENRY. s. YOUNG, on WILKINSBURG, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO. THE UNION SV 'ITCI'I (in 3161? [1L GOMPAITY, OF SW'ISSVALE,

I PENNSYLVANIA, A CQRPORATION PENNSYLVANIA RAILWAY SWITCH con'rnonnrne nrranarns Application filed. October 24, 1929. Serial Ito/401,999.

This invention relates toythe' control of railway switches. Onefof-the-objects of the invention is to provide an improved system of switch controlwhich affords protection against misoperation' of the switchv motor in the event of the occurrence in the control circuits of a cross tending to cause improper rotation of said motor. 'Another feature of the invention comprises'provisions for preventing achange in the setting of the switch when a train occupies the track section in which the switch is located or when a train is approaching in an adjacent section. In addition-we provide improved means for controlling theoperationof a switch repeating relay adapted to control indications of the position of the switch, said. means insuring that tllG'SWltCh control apparatus is properly conditioned before the switch repeating relay can be energized. Other features of the-invention will be hereinaftervdescribed and claimed. I a

In the accompanying drawings? Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a control" system illustrative of our invention, and

r Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic'view illustrating another formof control means. i Y

Referring to Fig. 1, a'section of. a railway track is-shown at 2, in which section there is positioned'a switch? A track relay is indicated at 5; while at 6 there is shown a motor, comprising an armature 7 and a field 8, for operating the switch. PR designates a polarized relay which 1 may be controlled manually, as by a dispatchers system,

means, as will be readily understood, to cause current to flow through either coil 9 or coil 10,

and thereby to inove the armature 11 into engagement with contact 12 or contact 13,

for causing operation of the motor. Gin the proach of I or by any suitable or convenient remote control and contact 31, and armature 33 and contact 3 1), and then through armature 11, contact 12, wire 17, armature 18 and back contact 19 of relay 15,,wire 20, relay 1%, wire 21, and wire 22 to terminal C of the same source; while, if armature 11 engages contact 13, a circuit is established from wire 16, through wire 23, armature 2a, and baclrcontact 25 of relay 1 1 (which relay is now de-energized), wire 26, relay 15, wire 27, and wire 22 to termi: nal C. We further provide a'control over the relays 14: and 15 by the presence of a. train in'othetrack section -2.' Relays 1 1 and 15 are also controlled by locking relays which may be controlled in accordance with usual and well known-railway signalling practice to provide approach locking, route locking,

stick looking, or time looking. For example,

we have shown connected in circuit with the wire 16 an armature28 and front contact 29 of the track relay 5; armature 30 and front contact 31 of a relay 32 responsive to the apa-trainin thetrack section adjoiningone end-of the section 2; and armature 83 and front contact 34 0f a relay35 rosponsive to the approach of a. train in the track section adjoining the other end of said section 2. Rehys such as the relays 32 and 35 are well-known inthe art and need not be here described, it being sufiicient to note that relay 32 or 35 is file-energized whenever a train is approaching section-2 in the corresponding adjoining track section. The track relay 5, as is well understood, is (lo-energized whenever a train occupies the section The relays 5, 32, and 35 are provided with back contacts36, 37, and'88, respectively, which are connected to a wire 39. Upon deenergization of any of said relays 5, 32,.and 35, the connection from'terminalB to them-mature 1'1 of'the relay PR is broken, and the wire 39 is connected with terminal'B. Assuming relay 14L to he energized through relay PR and any of the relays 5, 32, 35 to be ole-energized, it will he seen-that current will flow from terminal l3, through the armature and back contact of said tie-energized relay, wire maintained energized as long as any one of the relays 5, 32, and 35 is de-energized, regardless of the position of the armature 11 of relay PR. Similarly, should relay 15 be energized when any of relays 5, 32, and 35 is lie-energized, current would flow through wire 39, armature 43, and front contact 44 of relay 15, wire 26, relay 15, and wires 27 and 22 to terminal C, so that said relay 15 would remain energized as long as any of the relays 5, 32, and 3 (lo-energized, irrespective of the condition of relay PR. It will thus be seen that the deencrgization of any of the relays 5, 32, 35 will cause the relay 14 or 1.5 which at that time was energized to remain energized until said relays 5, 32, and 35 are all again energized. Thus, relays 14 and 15 will not be controlled by relay PR when a train is approaching section 2 in an adjacent section, or when a train is occupying said section 2, and the switch setting determined by said relays at the time any of the relays 5, 32, 35 becomes Clo-energized remains unchanged until all said relays are again in energized condition.

The relays 14, 15 control the operation of the switch motor 6 through contactor relays N and R. The relay N may be designated the normal contactor relay and relay R the reverse contactor relay. lVhen the relay 14 is energized its armature 47 is engaged with contact 48 thereby connecting wire 49 to terminal B. A circuit is thereby closed through wire 49, armature 50 and back contact 51' of relay R, wire 52, contact 53, contact 54 which is operated by the switch and which is engaged with contact 53 at all times except when the switch is in full normal position, wire 55, relay N, and armature 56 and contact 57 of thermo cut-out 58 to terminal C. Relay N is thereby energized and a circuit is completed for the operation of the switch motor to move the switch from reverseposi tion to its normal position. This circuit is from terminal B through the heating element 59 of the thermo cut-out 58, front contact 69 and armature 61 of relay N, wire 62, armature 7 of the switch motor 6, wire 63, armature 64 and back contact 65 of relay R, wire 66, and the field 8 of the switch motor to terminal C. The switch motor 6' thereupon operates the switch from reverse to normal position, and when the switch arrives at its full normal position the contact 54 which, as before noted, is actuated by the switch, is disengaged from the contact 53 so that the circuit through the relay N is broken as is likewise the circuit through said motor.

To effect operation of the switch from normal to reverse position, the relay PR is operated to close contact 1113, sothat relay 14 is (lo-energized and relay 15 is energized. Armature 67 of relay 15 is thereupon engaged with contact 68, whereby current flows from terminal B, through wire 69 connected to armature 67, thence through armature 70 and back contact 71 of relay N, contact 72, armature 73 which is operated by the switch, and which is in engagement with contact 72 at all times except when the switch occupies its full reverse position, wire 74, relay R, and armature 75 and contact 76 of thermo cut-out 77 to terminal C. Relay R is thereby energized and closes a circuit through the switch motor 6 for operating the latter to move the switch to reverse position. This motor circuit is from terminal B through the heating element 78 of thermo cut-out 77, front contact 79 and armature 64 of relay R, wire 63, motor armature 7, wire 62, armature 61 and back contact 80 of relay N, wire 66 and motor field 8 to terminal C. When the switch motor has moved the switch to full reverse position, the switch operated contact 7 3 is disengaged from contact 72 whereby relay R is de-energized and the switch motor circuit opened. 7

Assuming thata cross occurs on the control circuit for contactor relay B when the apparatus is in normal condition, as shown in Fig.1, with the result that the relay B would be energized at an improper time the armature 50 would engage front contact 81 of said relay B so that a circuit would be completed through contactor relay N from terminal 13 through front contact 48 and armature 47 of relay 14, wire 49, contact 50, and front con" tact 81 of relay R, wire 82 to wire 55 and thence through relay N and armature 56 and contact 57 of thermo cut-out 58 to terminal C.- It will thus be seen that said cross on the reverse control circuit would result in the energization of both contactor relaysN and R with consequent engagement of armature 61 with front contact60 of relay N and armature 64 with front contact 79 of relay R, thus causing the motor armature 7 to be shunted and the circuit through the motor field 8 to be opened, and thereby preventing operation of the switch by said motor. Conversely, if a cross should occur on the control circuit for contactor relay N, resulting in improper energization ofsaid relay N-when the relay 15 is energized and the switch is in the reverse position, the engagement of armature 70 of relay N with front contact 81 closes a circuit from terminal B through front contact 68 and armature 67 of relay 15, wire 69, armature 70 and front contact 70" of relay N, wire 74, relay R, and thence through armature 7 5 and contact 76 of thermo cut-out 77 to terminal C. Thus again both the contactor relays N and Rare energized, the motor armature shunted, and the motor. field circuit opened so that operation of the switch is prevented. It will thus be apparent that improper operation of the switch, as the result of the occurrence of a cross on the control circuit for either contactor relay N or R, is

I prevented from causing operation ofthe switch. Assuming, however, that during the existence of a cross'onthe control circuit for contactor relay R the operator should cause the armature 11- of the polarized relay PR to shift from engagementwith'contact 12into engagement with contact 13, relay 14 would be de-energized and the-circuit through contactor relay N broken by the disengagement of armature 47 from'front contactor 48 of said relay '14. Armature 61 ofrelay N would.

thereupon drop into engagement with back contact 80. Inasmuch as contactor relay R is at this time energized, a. circuit is established through the switch motor for moving the switch to reverse position. The occur rence of a cross on the control circult for relay R at a time when relay 14 is energized, while causing energization of relay N and preventing operation of the switch motor as long as said relay 14 is energized, does not prevent operation of the switch to reverse position in response to energization of relay 15, and the apparatus therefore permits movement of the switch to reverse position'when the operator intends that such reversal should occur. Also, the existence of a cross on the'control circuit for relay N, when the relay 15 isenergized, while establishing a circuit through relay R, and thus preventing switch operation, does not preclude actuation of the switch to normal position when contact 1112 of relay PR is closed to energize relay 14, since at this time relay 15 is de-energizedand the circuit through contactor relay R is broken by the disengagement of armature 67 from front contact 68 of relay 15 with consequent engagementof armature 64 with back contact of relay R, and'the-establishment of a circuit through front contact 60 and armature 61 of relay N through the motor for operating the switch to'normal position. a

At we have shown a switch repeating relay which is adapted to close circuits to ef' fect various indications or controls in accordance with the position of the switch. Such relays are well-known and have shown the relay 90 as controlling circuits through lights 91, 92, respectively,-for'indieating the position of the switch, though said relay may also enter into the control of signals or other devices in accordance with the switch position. Armature 93 of said re lay is polarized, and is engaged with the contact associated with 91 01? the contact associated with 92 depending upon the direction of the flow of current through said relay 90,; so that upon a flow of currentin onedircction through said relay, light 9'1Ywill be illluminated, while light 92 will be illuminated upon flow of current through said relay in the other direction;

energized the circuit to the armature93 is broken by the dropping of armature 94' out a of engagement withcontact 95', so that neither the latter is in normal position,

When the relay 90' is de-.

light 91 nor light 92 is illuminated. The flow of current through relay 90 is controlled by contacts operated by the switch.

contact 1116111- ber 96 is engaged with contact 97, thereby connecting wire 98 to terminal B. Assuming the contactorrelays N and R to be dc-energized, relay 14 to be energized and relay 15 de-energized, current can now flow froin terminal B through wire 98, back contact 99 and armature100 of relay N, wire 101, front contact 102 and armature 103 of'relay 14,

wire 104, relay '90, wire 105, armature 106 and back contact 107 of relay 15, wire 108,

armature 109 and back contact 110 of relay N,

wire 111, contact member 112, and contact 113 to terminal C. Light 91 is thereupon illuminated to indicate that the switch is in normal position.

If, on, the other hand, the switch is in reverse position, the contactor relays N and R de-energized, relay 14 de-energized, and relay 15 energized, current will flow from terminal B through wire 114, contact 115, switch operated contact 116 (which is engaged with Contact 115 by movement of the switch to reverse position), wire 117 back contact 118 and armature 119. of relay R, wire 120, front contact 121 and armature 106 of relay 15, wire 105, relay 90, wire 104, armature 103 and back contact 122 of relay 14, wire 123, armature 124 and back contact 125 of relay 1%, wire 126, switch operated con-v tact 127, and contact 128 to terminal C. Armature 93 of relay 90 is therebyswung to engagea contact in circuit withlight 92 and the latter is illuminated. i

It will be seen that the circuits for the control of the switch repeating relay 90 include,

switch, contacts controlled by the contactor When relays N and B, so that de-energizatmn of said relays is required'before a circuit can be'closed through relay90. Should either contactor relay be energized the circuit for relay 90 would beopened and saidrclay shunted. The control circuits for relay 90 also include contacts controlled bythe' rclays 14- and 15 as has been noted, so that said relays must be in condition corresponding to the setting of the switch before relay 90 can be energized.

" Whenever the relay 90 is not energized, its

non-polarized armature 94 is out of engagey ment with contact 95, so that neither of the 7 lights 91 or 92 is illuminated. An indication is thereby afforded that the switch is not in the position corresponding to the setting of the switch control relays 14, 15,50 that one or both relays N, B, may bein energized condition. 1 Y i In Fig. 2 we have shown a modified form of switch control system, wherein a polarized relay 129 is substituted for the two relays In this modification, when arma' tact 11, and wire throi'igh wire 1'4, as in 1,

io(), through one a relay 1: 1.), and a" i 131 tori armature 11 engages contact 4- J 16), cu) em lions through wire 132, through another winding of relay 129, and thence throu n wire 131 to :3 terminal C Armatures fi33 l;-3'8, lay 129 are polarized, vhilc arn'iat 138, and 139 are not. it Wl l 39 is connected to armature 183 it a train is approaching or occu 1 section 2 current will be m in that winding of relay 129 its a gized at the time of such approa h or occupancy. Thus, when current through wire 130 to relay 129, armature engages contact 1 10, so that upon the th ing of wire 39 in circuit in place oi t a by the deenerg:ization of re 38, current will flow tl ture 133, contact 140, wire wire 131 to commonreturn, t 1 energized the winding of rosy is 13,013 '12; too in) which energized when armature 11 of relay P13 is engaged with contact 12. 1V lien armature 11 engages contact 13 and current tliereh, i i, through wire 132 to relay 128, armature 13 of said relay engages contact 142, so "tho upon (le-cnergization of any one of relays 36, 34, 38, current flows through wire 39, armature 133, contact 142, wire 1 18 to wire 132, thus maintaining energized that winding of relay 129 which is energized when armature 11 engages contact 13.

When current is flowing through relay through wire 130, arinatures 13-1, 136, engage respectively the 145, and 1 16. lVire 1-9 of Fig. to contact 144- so that when current flows through said relay 129 by way of wires 130 and 131, wire 49 is connected battery througharmatures 13 1 and 139 for controlling operation of the switch to normal position. Similarly, wire 69 is shown connected to contact 145 so that when current flows through relay 129 by way of wires 132, 131, wire 69 is connected to batterythrongh arnmtures 134- and for con ling; operation of the switch to reverse position; Also, the wires 101, 108 of Fin. 1 are shown con- \j nectedv to contacts 15-16, 141 n Fig. 2, so that when a a t on grade said con "-s, v 'res 11" 105% are connected to wires 10 1, 135, thrc 4h armatures 137, 138 respectively, for or ssing current in one direction through the switch repeating relay 90. Also, wircs lfl), 123 of Fig. 1 are shown in Fig. 2 connected to contacts 1417, 1418 respectively, sotliat when armaturcs 135, 136 engage the last mentioned contacts in response to glow of vcurrent through the winding of relay 129 connected to wires 132, and 131, the wires 120, 123 are connected through armatuies 13 wires 105, 104-, respectively, for a rent in the appropriate directioz relay 90. The energization of th thus conditioneo upon the groper the switch control relay 129.

lit may be further pointed t tcction which we have provided operation of the switch upon th cc rence of cross on the control circuit or either oi the contact or relays N, R, is obtained re- -rdless of whether the relays 141, o: 1 i or the polarized relay 129 of 1. 2 be employed. In fact, as will be apparent, other means such as a contactlever could be employed in place of relays 1 1-, 15 or of relay 12, for controlling the contactor relays N, R, by connecting either wire 49 wire (39 to battery, and the cross protection hereinbetore described in connection with the cirents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various tructural modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

VV hat we claim is:

1. In a switch control apparatus, a motor for operating the switch, a pair of relays for establishing circuits through said motor to cause the latter to move the switch to either normal or reverse position according as one relay or the other is energized and for we venting operation of said motor when relays are concurrently energized, selective means and circuit connections controlled thereby for energizing either of: said relays to eliect the desired setting or the switch, contacts controlled by said st itch for breaking the circuit through the selected relay upon the arrival oi the switch at its desired setting, and means coinprisinq a front contact of the non-selected relay for energizing the selected relay in response to energization of said non-selected relay when said selective means is in a condition for selecting the se front contact of the mear'is and connections for energizing either of said relays, the connections for energizing one of said relays including an armature and a back contact of the other, contacts controlled by said switch for breaking the circuit through the selected relay upon the arrival of the switch at its desired setting, and connections comprising said armature and a front contact of the non-selected relay for energizing the selected relay in response to energization of said non-selected relay when said selective means is in a condition for selecting the selected relay.

8. In a switch control apparatus, a motor for operating the switch, a normal switch relay and a reverse switch relay, a normal control relay and a reverse control relay, means for selectively energizing the normal or the reverse control relay; a circuit for said normal switch relay including a front contact of the normal control relay, a back contact of the reverse switch relay, and a contact which is operated by the switch and is closed in all positions of the switch except normal; a circuit for said reverse switch relay including a front contact of the reverse control relay, a back contact of the normal switch relay and a contact which is operated by the switch and is closed in all positions of the switch except reverse; an auxiliary circuit for said normal switch relay including a frontcontact of. the normal control relay and a front contact of the reverse switch relay, an auxiliary circuit for said reverse switch relay including a front contact of the reverse control relay and normal switch relay, and means for operating said motor to move the switch to normal or reverse position according as the normal or the reverse switch relay is energized and'for preventing operation of said motor if said two switch relays are concurrently energized.

4. In a switch control apparatus, a motor for operating the switch, anormal switch relay and a reverse switch relay, relay means for selectively energizing either of said switch relays, a circuit for said normal switch relayincluding a contact of said relay means, a back contact of the reverse switch relay and a contact which is operated by the switch and is closed in all positions of the switch except normal; a circuit for said reverse switch relay including another contact of saidrelay means, a back contact of the normal switch relay and a contact whichis operated by the switch and switch except reverse; an auxiliary circuit for said normal switch relay including a con- 7 tact of said relay means and a front contact of the reverse switch relay, an auxiliary circuit for said reverse switch relay including a contact of the relay means and a front contact of the normal switch relay, and means for operating said motor to move the switch to normal or reverse position according as lay and a is closed in all positions of the the normal or reverse switch relay is energized and for preventing operation of said motor if said two switch relays are concurrently energized.

5. In a switch control apparatus, a motor 7 for operating the switch, a normal switch reverse switch relay including another contact aback contact of the of said polarized relay,

a contact which is normal switch relay and operated by the switch and is closed in all positions of the switch except reverse; an auxiliary circuit for said normal switch relay including a contact of said polarized refront contact of the reverse switch relay, an auxiliary circuit for said reverse, switch relay including a contact of the polarized relay and a front contact of the normal switch relay, and means motor to move the verse position according as the normal or reverse switch relay is energized and for preventing operation of said motor if said two switch relays are concurrently energized.

In testimony whereof, wehave signed our names to this specification this'22 day of Oc-' tober, 1929.

CHARLES A. BROOKS. HENRY S. YOUNG.

for operating said, switch to normal or re- Iran 

